Press



PRESS 7 Sneefnss-Sheefl 2 .www www Sept. 15, 1931. J. F. SCHMIDT Filed NOV. 5. 1927 Sept. 15, 1931. J, F. SCHMIDT PRESS Filed Nov. 5, 192'7 7 Sheets-Sheet 3 Sept. 15, 1931.

J. F. 'SCHMIDT PRESS Filed Nov. 5, 192'7l '7 Sheets-Sheet 4 i? my r. I I m atto/cmq Sept 15 1931- J. F. scHMlD'r PRI-:ss

Filed Nov. 5, 1927 '7 Sheets-Sheet 5 www QN h n .NH @uw .m w h u .www u New sm. @N ovv. 1 -nu u... c a@ m mw .www d. e mv HIIH 4 w$1|wmn um. lu mm lll km MN .l u .M .wdm I www. mm. ab. I ,l n mw Nw f y m N PRESS Ried Nov.. 5. 1927 7 Sheets-SheetI 6 Patented Sept. 15, 1931 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE JOSEPH F. SCHMIDT,' OF RAILROAD, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR TO WHEELER COM- PANY, 0F RAILROAD, PENNSYLVANIA, A CORPORATION OF PENNSYLVANIA PRESS Application filed November 5, 1927. Serial No. 231,208.

This invention relates to presses, and more particularly to a. semi-automatic press of the hydraulic type adapted for forming articles from plastic compositions.

The present types of presses embody a stationary base in which the mold cavity is formed and an upper vertically reciprocable plunger the lower end of which forms the top of the mold. The plunger is operable by hydraulic pressure, andthe actuation of the plunger is controlled by an operator seated at the front of the apparatus.- The operator referred to also controls a lower plunger the upper end of which forms the bottom of the mold, and which is adapted to be moved upwardly to eject finished articles from the mold. The material from which the articles are formed is weighed manually by a second operator seated at the opposite side of the machine, and is manually poured into Athe mold cavity after the previously formed article has been ejected and before the upper plunger is moved downwardly. Thus it will be apparent that'two operators are required for forming the articles by each hydraulic Press.

The material usually employed in making the articles is in a loose semi-plastic condition and contains a considerable portion of air. The valve controlled by the operator for actuating the plungers is adapted to be moved to operative. position to cause the plunger to impact against the material in the mold, to a neutral position, and to an inoperative position wherein the pressure is released from the plunger. Owing to the inherent nature of the material above referred to, it is the common practice initially to turn the pressure control valve to operativey position momentarily to impact the plunger against the material, and then to turn the valve to neutral position to hold the plunger down, these actions resulting in the control valve is ,moved to inoperative position and permitted to remain lin such position, whereupon the plunger is elevated to inoperative position. by coil springs provided for this purpose. The operator at theI front of the apparatus then depresses'a pedal or other lever to elevate the lower plunger and thus eject the finished article from the mold. The ejector is then withdrawn into the mold whereupon the operator at the rear of the apparatus again pours into the mold the material which has been measured or weighed during Ire molding operation.

An important object of the present invention is to provide a molding press of the hydraulic or other mechanically operated type wherein the measuring of the material is adapted to be done by the operator who controls the hydraulic valve, thus dispensing with the'necessity of a second operator.

A further object is to provide manually controlled means operable by the single 0perator referred to for receiving from a suitable hopper and transmitting to the mold the correct quantity of material to form each successive article.

A further object is to provide a manually controlled material measuring device adapted to be moved to a position beneath a material hopper and to a position over the mold, and to provide valves beneath the hopper A further object is to provide means as .sociated with the measuring device for varylng the capacity thereof according to the physical characteristics of the material and varying uses of articles to be molded.

A further object is'to provide a hydraulic control valve operable by one hand of the operator, and associated locking means for the valve handle operable by the other hand of the operator, thus requiring the use of twoy handswhen the plunger is to be actuated to and beneath the measuring device and autoprevent the possibility of injury to the op-` erator. I l

A further object is to provide novel means operable by upward movement of the pressure plunger after an article has beenformed for ejecting the article from the mold.

A further object is to provide depending wmeans connected to and movable with the pressure plunger and having a portion adapted upon 'upward movement to engage beneath a portion of the ejecting plungerto elevate the latter when the pressure plunger 'is moved upwardly toward inoperative po-` sition. Y Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent during the course of the following description.

In the drawings I have shown one embodi- Z ment of the invention. In this showing,

Figure 1 is a front elevation of the-appa.- ratus,

Figure 2 is a side elevation of the same,

Figure 3 is a section taken substantially on line 3-3 of Figure 1, parts being omitted,

Figure 4 is an enlarged side elevation of al portion of the apparatus,

F1gure 5 is a detail, perspective of the hopper valve, v

. Figure 6 is an enlarged front elevation .of a portion of the apparatus,

Figure 7 is a detail perspective of the carriage including the measuring device, f

Figure 8 is a vertical sectional view on line 8-8 of Figure 3,

Figure 13 is a,n enlarged front elevation of the lower portion of the apparatus,

Figure 14 is a side elevation-of the same, and,

view showing the safety handle locking means.

Referring generally to Figures 1 and 2, the numeral 10 designates a pairof side supports at the upper ends of which 4is mounted ejector plunger 14 the upper. extremity of which is arranged inthe mold in the, usual manner and forms the bottom thereof. A crossheadrl is carried by the plunger beneath a guide A16 depending from the mold bed. A coil spring-Q7 is. arranged between vthe plunger downwardly to normal position. A pair of links 18 are pivotally connected at their upper ends to the crosshead 15 -and handle is adapted to rock the shaft 20 about its axis to swing the `arm 19upwardly and thus lift the plunger'. 14, but it is preferred =that automatic means to be described be4 employed for ejecting the finished articles. A plurality of square rcctangularly arranged posts 23 are secured at thelr lower ends to the bed 11 and project upwardly thereabove for asubstantial distance as sho-wn in Figures 1 and 2. These posts are adapted to support a crosshead 24 for vertical recipro- `cation, and the bottom of the crosshead is qprovidedi with an impacting member 2 5 which is movabledovmwardly into the mold cavity in a manner to be described. The

lower face of the impacting member forms the top of the mold, as will be apparent, to determine the shape of the upper end of the articles being formed. The crosshead 24 is connected to a plunger 26, the upper end of which .carriles a. piston -(,not shown) recipro cable in'a iressure cylinder 27. The cylinder is provilded with an outstanding base portio-n 28 which is secured to the upper ends of the posts 23 by nuts 29. A pair of rods 30 are slidable 7m suitable openings-formed in the base 28 and are securedL at their lower' ends to the crosshead 24 in the usual mannen Coil springs 31 are arranged lbetween the base 28 .and upper adjustable heads 32 carried by therods 30 and accordingly itr will be normally project the crosshead 24 upwardly.

`apparent that the springs 31 are operable to terial inthe mold cavity and to release the crosshead for upward movement. Referring to Figures 10 and 1 1 the numeral 33 desl ignates a valve casing having an outlet pas- -Figure 15 is an enlarged detail sectional sage 34/connec'ted by a conduit 35 to the upper end of the cylinder 27, as shown in Figure 1. Oil is preferably employed as the hydraulic medium and is supplied to the casing 33 through' an inlet port 36,' this port being connected to a suitable pressure supply pipe 37" provided with a manually controlledvalve 38. The port 36 communicates with a chamberV 39 formed in the casing 33 and a valve plug40 is arranged in this chamber and provided at its upper end with a; valve seat 41. A valve 42 engages this seat and is carried by a stem 43. The lower end ofthe valve stem is slidable in an opening 44 formed in the plug 40, while the upper end `of the stem is slidable in a'n opening 45 the crosshead l5 and the guide 16 to proj-ect-l formed in `a plug`46, the rvalve normally being projected downwardly to closed posimnnicates with a lower opening 48, which in turn, communicates with a transverse passage 49 formed in the valve casing. The passage v49 is preferably drilled into the side of the valve casing and the outer end of the passage is closed by a plug 50.

The inner end 0f the passage 49 communi- Cates with a vertical passage 51 which is also drilled in the valve casing and is closed at its upper end by a plug 52. The passage 34 is drilled inwaidly to communicate with the passage 51 as .shown in Figure 10, and passes through a chamber 53. A ring, 54 is arranged in the lower portion of this chamber and receives a plug 55 the upper end of which is provided with a valve Seat 56. A valve 57 engages this seat and is formed on a stem 58 the upper end of which is vertically reciprocable in an opening 59 y posite sides of the casing 33 and supportl formed in a plug 60 threaded in the casing 33. The'lower end of the valve stem 58 reciprocates in an axial opening 61 formed in the plug 55. An exhaust port 62 is formed in the casing 33 and communicates with the lower portion of the chamber 53 beneath the plug 55, and iuid pressure from the passage 34 is adapted to escape through the port 62 around the stem of the valve 57 when the latter is lifted. The port 62 is connected with the pipe'62 to transmit pressure fluid thereto. The valve 57 is normally retained on its seat by a suitable coil spring 63 arranged in the opening 59.' The inlet and exhaust valves 42 and 57 are adapted to be actuated by operating stems 64 and 65 respectively, each ofthese stems being arranged beneath and in axial alinement with its corresponding valve stem. Each of the stems 64 and 65 forms a part of a plunger 66 which is mounted to reciprocate in a guide plug 67 threaded in the casing 33, and packing washers 68 surround the valve actuating stems to prevent leakage of pressure as will be apparent.

Depending arms 69 are arranged on opa rocker 70. This rocker is provided with oppositely extending arms 71 arranged beneath the plungers 66, and each arm is provided with a screw 72 extending upwardly therethrough and adapted to -be secured against movement by lock nuts 73. It will be apparent that the screws 72 are adapted to be adjusted vertically to vary the amount of opening of the valves 42 and 57 for any given movement of the rocker. The rocker is provided with an operating arm 74 `to the end of which is connected a link 75.

The valve casing is providedwith a bearing 76 receiving a shaft 77 the rear end of this shaft being provided with an eccentric 78 receiving the upper end of the link 75. The forward or outer end of the shaft 77 is polygonal as indicated lat 79 (see Figure 12) to receive the hub 80 of a handle 81.

The hub 80 isprovided with a stop 80 adapted to engage the head of a screw 81 carried by the valve casing to limit the turning movement of the handle 81.

- A support indicated as a whole by the numeral 82 is arranged above the bed 11 to the rear thereof, as shown in Figures' 3, 4

for connection to the two rear postsv faces reccssedas at 89 to form sockets for the reception of one corner portion of each of a pair of preferably square guide rods 90. Screws 91 are adapted to secure theguide rods in position.

A hopper 92 is arranged over the support 82 and is providedl with a depending discharge spout 92 extending through an opening 94 formed in the central portion 87 of the support. A gate or valve 95 is slidable under the lower end of the spout 93 to form a closure therefor. The lower face ofthe central portion of the support is recessed asV at 96 to slidably receive the gate 95 and guide plates 97 are adapted to support the These gate for reciprocating movement.

guides may be secured in position by screws 98. The rear end of the gate'95 is secured to a slidable operating plate 99 by a screw 100, as shownin Figure 8. The plate 99 is provided with a longitudinal slot 101 through which, extends an integral depending member 102 carried by the top 87 of the support 82. The purpose of the depending member 102 will be referred to later. The rear end of the plate 99 is securedby rivets or the like 103 to a rod 104 which extends through a guide opening 105 formed in a depending member 106 carried by the rear end of the central portion of the support 82. A coil spring 107 surrounds 'the rod 104, the spring contacting at its rear end with the depending member 106 and at its forward end with a collar 108 surrounding the rod 104. It will be apparent' that the spring 107 normally projects the rod 104- forwardly to close the gate 95.

A carriage indicated as a whole Aloy the ni'imeral 109 is slidablc on the guide rods 90. The carriage shown in detail in Figure 7 of the drawings and includes longitudinally extending spaced side portions 110 arranged on oo osite sides of the de wending member 102. T he edge portions of the carriage 109 are provided with spaced guide members 111 u which are angular in form to slidably receive the inner corner portions of the guides 90.

-The rearends of the side members are Lal connected by a solid cross member 112 in which is threaded a screw 113 adapted to limit forward movement of the carriage. An

ingrecess 115 for a purpose to be described.

The forward end of the carriage is provided with a measuring device yindicated as a whole by the numeral 116, the rear edge 117 of this device projecting upwardly a slightdistance above the upper face'of the carnage to contact with the forward edge of the gate 95 to move the latter rearwardly.

-The measuring device 116 preferably 1s provided with a cast integral body having a` vertical slot 118 extending rearwardly therein, the rear end of the slot being substantially `semi-cylindrical as shown in Figure 7. A

block 119 is slidable forwardly and rearwardly in the slot 118 and is provided with a rear semi-cylindrical face coacting with the curved rear -end of the slot 118 to form a material measuring pocket 120. A plate 121 is arranged against the forward face of the body of'the measuring device and forms a closure for the slot 118. Screws 122 pass through the plate 121 and the side portions of the body of the measuring device and are threaded at their rear ends in the forward end of the body of the carriage 109. It will be apparent that these screws secure the measuring device to the body of the carriage.

The'forward face of the block 119 is provided with an undercut slot 123 receiving a head 124 of a screw 125, this screw being threaded through the plate 121. An operating knob 126 is carried by the screw 125 and is provided with an outer knurled portion 127. The inner end of the knob is'provided` with a milled annular flange 128 adapted` toV be engaged by one end of a leaf spring 129, the opposite end 'of this spring being secured to the plate`121 by a screw or the like 130.

A gate 131 is arranged beneath the measuring device to form a closure for the, bottom of the pocket 120. Opposite edges of the gate 131 are provided with spacing strips 132 and guide strips 133l are arranged over the spacfA ing strips. The guide and spacing strips are Q secured to the gate 131 by rivets or the like 134. The inner edges of the guide strips e'xtend inwardly beyond the s acing strips for slidable engagement in-longltudinal slots 135 formed in the sides of the body of the measuring device. The gate 131 is providedwith a substantially circular opening 136 which is adapted fto be arranged'beneath the pocket 120 to discharge material therefrom'. l The rear end of the gate 131 is secured to a rearwardly extending rod 137, and this rod passes through an opening 138 formed in the lower 'end of thedepending member 102. Forward and rear collars 140 are carried bythe rods 137 and are adapted to engage opposite sides of the depending member 102to effect movement of the gate 131 to open and closed positions va mannerto be described.

The end portion of one of the arms 83,

preferably the arm at:the right hand sideof the apparatus, is provided with an upwardly and rearwardly :extending preferably integral bearing arm I141 as shown in Figures3 and 9. A ,lever arm' 142 is pivtally slipported intermediate'its ends upon the bearing 141 by a bolt 143, the latter preferably 'being provided with an oil cup 144 or other lubricating means. The inner end 145 of the lever extends into the cutout portion .114 of the carria e 109y and is provided with a roller 146 engaging in the elongated opening 115. The forward end 147 of the operating lever extends through a slot 148 formed in an arcuate plate 149, this against the rear face 4o one of the posts 23 by screws `150 passing through a plate 151 arranged against the forward face of the post. The outer extremity 4of the lever is late` being secured provided with 'an operating handle 152 to which a latch operating member 153 is pivotally connectedas at 154. A spring 155 is arranged betweenthe handle 152 and the member 153 tonormally retain the latter in the position shown in Figure 3. A locking pin 156 is pivotally connected to ythe latch operating member as at 157 and is adapted to engage in an opening 158v formed -in the inner end of the -plate 149. The latch pin operates in a guide 159 carried by the operating lever, and the latter is adapted to engage against a stop 160 to limit its inward movement with the latch pin in alinement with the opening 158.

A pair of depending rods 161 is piv-otally i connected to the head 24 as at 162, the rods being arranged outwardly of the head as shown. -The lower ends of these rods extend downwardly beneath ythe -head N11-4 and are connected to a transverse bar 163 as shown in Figure 14. The rods preferably extend downwardly through suitable openings 'formed in the upper ends of the supports 10 12o and bed 11. It w1ll be apparent that the bar is adapted to reciprocate vertically with the pressure head 24. A pair of rods 164 are carried by collars 165 mounted on the shaft 20. Springs 166 surround the rods 164 between the collars thereof and the bar 163.

l They rods 164 extend through relatively large openings in thebar 163 and it will be ap.

The cross bar 163 is adapted to slidably engage a pair of depending bars 167 secured at their upper ends to the support 10 as at 168. The lower ends of the bars 167 are relatively restricted in lwidth and join the wider upper portions thereof in an upwardly and outwardly curving face 169. The forward edges of the upper or wider portions ofthe bars 167 are arranged flush with the outer extremity of the cross-head 15, as shown in Figure 14. It will be apparent that the bar 163 is adapted to move downwardly without affecting the crosshead l5, but is adapted to engage therebeneath upon upward movement to cause the crosshead and the plunger 14 to move upwardly.

Means are provided to cause the left hand of the operator to be occupied before he can operate the valve handle 81 to supply fluid pressure to the cylinder 27. Referring to Figure 13 the numeral 170 designates a transverse rod pivotally connected at one end as at 171 to the valve lever 81. The op' positeend of this rod is slidable in openings 172 formed in arms 173 of a plate 174. A safety handle 175 is pivotally connected to the lower end of the plate 174 as at 176 and the lower portion of the handle is normally arranged between the ears 173 thus preventing given inward movement of the end of' the rod 170, and consequently preventing movement of the valve handle 81. The upper portion of the handle 175 is provided with a rearwardly extending rod 177 surrounded by a coil spring 178, the rear end of the spring being secured to the rod 177 while the forward end contacts with the rear face of the plate 174. It will be apparent that the operator is free to move the handle 81 to the left only when he grasps the upper end of the handle 175 and pulls it outwardly.

The operation of the device is as follows:

With the operating lever 142 and elements actuated thereby arranged .in the positions shown, the operator may grasp the handle 152 and member 153 and move these elements toward each other to release the pin 156 from the opening 158. The outer end of the leveris then swung outwardly and it will be apparent that the arrangement of the roller 146 in the opening 115 will cause the carriage to move forwardly. The use of the roller materially reduces friction to permit the apparatus described more easily to be operated. It will be apparent that the pocket 120 will have received a. charge of material from the hopper, the quantity of material corresponding to the amount necessary for the partielllar articles to be molded. Rotation of the knob 126 against the action of the spring 129 causes the plug 119 to be moved inwardly or outwardly to vary the quantity of material which the opening 120 is adapted to receive according to the requirement-s of the mold. The spring 129 is adapted to prevent acci.-

dental. turning of the knob 126.- As the carriage moves forwardly, it will be apparent that the spring 107 will project the gate 95 Vforwardly to close the lower end-of the spout 93. The forward action of the carriage continues until the opening 136 in the valve 131 reaches a point in alinement with the mold cavity 13, at which time the collar 140 will contact with the depending member 102 to limit further forward movement of the rod 137. Thus further forward movement of the valve or gate 131 will be prevented and the carriage will continue to move forwardly until the opening 120 is arranged over the opening 136, and above the mold cavity 13, whereupon the material in the measuring device will flow downwardly thereinto. The operator then swings Athe handle 152 back to its normal position and releases the member 153 to permit the pin 156 again to enter its opening 158. At this point, the material will have been placed in the mold and the molding operation is Dready to take place. The operator then grasps the upper end of the handle 175, shown in Figures 13 and 14, and moves this element outwardly whereupon the'valve handle 81 may be moved to the left. This action causes the link to be elevated from the neutral position shown in Figure 10, thus moving the plunger 66 upwardly to cause the pin 64 to raise the valve 42, fluid pressure thereupon flowing through the opening 44, passages 49, 51 and 34, and through pipe 35 to the cylinder 27 to efect downward movement of the plunger. As soon as the plunger has completed its downward movement and is impacted against the material in the mold, the valve handle is returned to neutral position momentarily'while airescapes from the material in the mold. The intake valve 42 is again opened to deliver a second impact to the material and the valve handle is then swung to exhausting position momentarily, thus closing` the valve 42 and opening the valve 57 to permit the pressure fluid to escape through pipe 35, passages 34, openings 61 and port 62, back to the source of supplv. This action-permits the springs 31 to slightly raise the head 24, and the valve action is repeated several times, the handle 81 alternately being swung to operative or intake positionand inoperative or exhaust position until the material is fully compacted. The handle 81 is then returned to the inoperative posit-ion shown in Figure 1, and the handle 175 may be released. This causes the handle to return to its position between the ears 173 thus preventing longitudinal movement of the rod 170, and also movement of the handle 81. As soon as pressure is completely'released from the cylinder 27, the springs 31 effect upward movement of the head 24, as will be apparent.

As previously stated, the outer edges of the bars '167 are substantially flush with the outer extremity of the crosshead 15 and accordingly when the head 24' moves downwardly the bar 163 slides freely over the crosshead and then snaps'inwardly against edges of the narrow lower portions of the bars 167, the entire downward movement of the crosshead being accomplished without effecting any movement of the plunger 14. When the head is released for upward movement in the manner previously stated, the rods 161 will be moved upwardly together with the bar 163, whereupon the latter will engage beneath the crosshead 15 and effect upward movement of the plunger 14 against the tension of the spring 17. This action causes the plunger to lift the finished article from the mold, thus permitting its removal. As soon as the bar 163 reaches the curved face 169 in its upward movement it will be moved outwardly 'against the tension of the springs 166 until it reaches the wider portions of the bars 167, whereupon the crosshead will be released from the bar 163 and will be moved downwardly to normal position by its spring 17.

From theV foregoing it will be apparent that the structuredisclosed provides a press which is adapted to be controlled wholly by a single operator, and since the operator must use both hands to swing the valve handle 81, it is apparent 'that injury to his hands upon downward movement of the plunger is prevented. It also will be apparent that the apparatus is adapted to function automatically so far as the ejecting of the finished articles is concerned, whereby the operator is permitted to remove the lfinished article from the top of the mold at substantially the same time the operation of the lever 142 is started to deliver a new charge of material to the mold. So far as the valves of the hopper and measuring device are concerned, these elements are adapted to operate automatically upon movement of the carriage from receiving to discharging positions.

It is to be understood that the form of the invention herewith shown and described is to be taken as a preferred example of the same and that various changes in the shape, size and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention or thelscope of the subjoined claims. f l

I claim: l

1. In an apparatus of the character described,` a mold having a section movable to compressmaterial in the mold, a material hopper, a measuring device movable to a position beneath said hopper to receive material therefrom and to a position over said mold to discharge material thereinto, manual means for elfecting movement of said measuring device, and means for locking said manual means in a. position with said measuring device removed from proximity to said mold.

2. In an'apparatus of the character described, a mold having a section movable to compress material in the mold, a material hopper, a measuring device movable to a position beneath said hopper to receive materialA therefrom and to a position over said mold to discharge material thereinto, a manually operable lever for effecting movement of said measuring device, and latch means for locking said lever in a position with said measuring device removed from proximity to said mold.

3. In an apparatus of the character described, a mold having a section movable to compress material in the mold, a material hopper arranged above and to one side of said mold, guides arranged between said hopper and said mold, a measuring device slidably supported by said guides, said measuring device being movable to a position beneath said hopper to receive material there'- from and to a position over said mold to discharge material thereinto, a manually operable lever pivotally supported intermediate its ends and connected at one end to said measuring device, and means for locking said lever in a position with said measuring device beneath said hopper.

4. In an apparatus of the character described, a mold having a section movable to compress material in the mold, al material hopper arranged to one side of said mold and provided with a. lower discharge opening, a slidable gate normally closing said opening, a material measuring device movable to a position beneath said opening to contact with and open said gate and receive material from said hopper, said measuring device having a vertical opening therethrough, a slidable gate normally closing said last named opening, said measuring device being movable to arrange the opening therein directly over said mold, means adapted to effect the opening of said last named gate as said measuring device assumes said last named position, a manually operable lever for effecting movement of said measuring device, and manually operable means for locking said lever in a position with said measuring device arranged beneath the opening in said hopper.

5. In an apparatus of the character described, a mold having a section movable to compress material in the mold, a material hopper arranged to one side of said mold and provided with a lower discharge opening,

a slidable gate normally closing said openable to arrange the opening therein directly over said mold, means adapted to effect the opening ofy said last ,named gate as said measuring device assumes said last named position, and guides slidably supporting said measuring device for movement between said hopper and said mold, a manually operable lever for effecting movement of said meas.

uring device, and manually operable means for locking said lever in position lwit-h said measuring device arranged beneath said hopper. Y

6. In an apparatus of the character described, a mold having a section movable to compress material in the mold, a material hopper arranged to one. side of said mold and provided with'a lower discharge opening, a slidable gate normally closing said opening, a material measuring `devicemovable to a position beneath said opening to contact with and open said gate and receive material from said hopper, said measuring device having a vertical opening therethrough, a slidable gate normally closing said last named opening, said measuring device being movable to arrange the openingtherein directly over said mold, means adapted to effect the opening of said last named gate as said measuring device assumes said last named position, a pair of stationary horizontal guides, a carriage slidably 'mounted between said guides and provided with a recess, said measuring A'device being secured to said carriage, a manually operable lever, and a roller carried by said lever and mounted inl said recess to effect movement of said measuring device upon operation of said lever. 4

Y7. Inan apparatus of the character described, a mold having a movable section adapted to compress material therein, a plurality of upstanding posts slidably supporting said movable section, a support including a central portion and a pair of arms secured to certain of said posts, a hopper supported by the central portion of said support, a pair of spaced guides carried by said support, a carriageslidably supported by said guides, a material measuring device carried by said carriage, said measuring device being movable to a position beneath said hopper to receive material therefrom and to a position vover said mold to discharge material thereinto, a manually operable `lever pivotally supported intermediate its end s, said carriage being provided with a recess, and a roller carried by one end of said 'lever and operative in said recess for effecting movement of said carriage upon movement of said lever. e0

8. In an apparatus of the character described, a mold having a movable section adapted to compress material therein, a plurality of upstanding posts slidably supporting said movable section, a support including a central portion and a pair of arms secured of spaced guides carried by said support, a

carriage slidably supported by said guides, a material measurmg device carried Jy said carriage, said measuring devicebeing movable to a position beneath said hopper toireceive material therefrom and to a position over said mold to discharge material thereinto, a lever having one end engaging said carriage and operative for effecting movement thereof,` and latch means for locking said lever against movement with said measuring device arranged beneath said hopper.

9. In an apparatus of the character described, a member having a mold cavity therein, a. lower plunger projecting from the bottom of said member, an ripper plunger movable downwardly into said cavity vto compress material therein, a crosshead movable with said upper plunger, a projecting member carried by said lower plunger, a

lcross bar connected to said crosshead to move means for retaining said cross bar out of engagement with said projecting member during downward movement of said crosshe'ad.

10. In an apparatus of the character described, a member having a mold cavity therein, a lower plungerl projectingy from the bottom of said member, an upper plunger movable downwardly into said cavity to compressmaterial therein, a crosshead movable with said upper plunger, a projecting member carried by said'lower plunger, a cross bar connected to said crosshead to move'therewith `and adapted?, to 'engage beneath said projecting member to lift said lower plunger when said crosshead is elevated, a pair of bars againstwhich said cross bar is adapted t0 slide vertically, said pair of bars being provided with undercut lower portions to permit said cross bar to move to a position beneath said projectingmembenand resilient means for-retaining said cross bar against said pair of bars.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

JOSEPH F.' SCHMIDT. 

